Why Do I Say PNC Bank is Evil?

"Unbelievable, that can't be true..."
"There has to be an underlying reason…"
"That makes no sense…"

These are consistent responses of the many customers who took the time to call me at my personal residence. A continuing response from my friends, family, and church members. A shocking response because all of them know the honest and reliable person I am. Legitimate responses of all the people who have been made aware of one of the most brutal & illogical acts done by PNC Bank.

October was when this nightmare began. I was the primary provider for my family and had to endure a week’s worth of torture. Something that most would deem as cruel and unjust…

I received a phone call from Peggy A., the employee relations market manager, on Monday, October 18th. The initial conversation could be described as manipulative as she wanted me to admit to an act I would not do. She ended the conversation by stating, "You understand the seriousness of the situation don‘t you?"

Then days of torture began. I was never so afraid in my entire life. I was scared for my child's well being and the life of my unborn child as well. Wondering how my family would survive. Afraid of having to foreclose on my home. All the thoughts and feelings an honest hardworking mother should not have to endure.

It was not until a week later, Friday, October 22^nd that my nightmare became reality. I was terminated from PNC Bank. The reason determined for termination was “dishonesty.” I was terminated over the phone. I was represented by Dan D, Regional Manager, in person, and Peggy A. by phone. However, the manager I had worked with for years before, Jason F., was not involved in the decision whatsoever.

The explanation for the policy violation was that I had input incorrect dates from a driver’s license when opening an account for an existing customer. The date of the accused accusation was from sometime in February 2010. Since this was almost 9 months before the day I was made aware, it was impossible for me to remember the details of the interaction. Just 3 months after the conversion I was aware that it would be a PNC policy violation to not update identification for all accounts opened and knew the consequences of not doing so. I was questioned about the details of the Patriotic Act and whether I was aware or not that both PNC and National City Bank enforced it. I responded that I was aware that both institutions enforced it, but that National City had its own guidelines around “KYC.” National City did not require/enforce a policy that identification be obtained and input into a new account application for an existing customer. “Known” or “Signature Card” were acceptable forms if the customer was existing and known. If incorrect dates were applied to the new account application it was a mistake. I never received any type of warning from management; I was terminated.

In November or December I was directly involved with a similar situation involving my former assistant manager. Because I was her manager at the time I was involved in discussion around her accused violation. This discussion took place via conference call between myself, Kathy C., and the employee relations manager Peggy A. This employee knowingly falsified a social security number for a minor on a new custodial account in order to get the account opened. This employee informed the customer to call to provide the correct information at a later time. I attempted to save her job and position even though I was told it was a violation of policy and that it called for immediate termination. This employee still works there today. She now holds my previous position as branch manager.

Not only did it take months to terminate me after discovering a problem with the account, but I was also forced to wait an extra week from the date I was made aware until the actual date of termination. I was told that it was about “consistency throughout the corporation” and that an exception could not be made. How is the situation between myself and my former assistant consistent?

I was an employee of National City/PNC Bank for 9 years. I was promoted to branch manager in April of 2007 and took over the Lawrence Village Branch, which was at the time a poor performing, unmotivated branch. Over a very short time I improved the branch, built a tremendous customer base, and consistently increased sales and profitability. Since the conversion to PNC Bank my branch also consistently maintained a 5-star status, even through the conversion in November 2009.

As of the date I was terminated I was pregnant and 1 month away from my due date. I was left with no health insurance for my family as I was the primary source of income and benefits. I feel discriminated against; my upcoming maternity leave was something PNC Bank did not want to pay for. I struggled for the entire month of December because I was not being paid by unemployment due to the birth of my child. If I was still employed at PNC Bank, my 4-6 week maternity leave would have been paid for. I was also told I would not get my well deserved incentive pay for the 3rd quarter. However, I suppose an exception was made because a check for incentive was mailed to me in December.

I was granted unemployment in November. However, on December 5th I received an appeal from PNC Bank with a hearing date of 01/05/2010, which PNC attended via conference call. Included in the appeal was a typed explanation from the employee relations manager who had terminated me, Peggy A. Ironically, this letter of explanation included an incorrect date typed - 12/124/2010. A mistake I’m sure. The letter also mistakenly accused that I had a motive to collect incentives. Branch managers do not collect incentives for accounts opened.

The FACT is, PNC fired a dedicated, honest, and customer service driven employee. To further continue this pain and suffering, PNC tried to hurt my family by further fighting my unemployment pay. A horrific thing to do, especially when they had absolutely no good reason for it. If I did enter a wrong date into the system, it was done accidentally. Nobody is perfect, as demonstrated by Peggy A’s letter of appeal.

Because Pennsylvania is at-will employment State, PNC may have destroyed everything I worked for during the past decade, those involved will be judged.


More to come...